Organizational History

This site contains official USAF and USSF organizational information. Any information compiled on other websites should be considered unofficial.

The AFHRA's Organization History Division

The Air Force Historical Research Agency publishes organizational records as a source of ready information for United States Air Force and United States Space Force historians, other researchers, and the general public. Most of the sources used to prepare the lineage and honors entries are located in the document collection of the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The Agency collects indispensable primary source documents, including Department of the Air Force manpower and organization numbered letters, G-series special orders, operations plans and reports, and similar records.  The Agency also maintains organizational records and official heraldry files to provide essential information.  Unfortunately, even with all the available information, the historians could not always ascertain specific facts. These entries are subject to revision in the light of evidence that may be discovered or become available in the future.

Lineage and honors (L&H) information posted on this site is for ACTIVE UNITS only.  Although thousands of units have served our country, the AFHRA has a large backlog of currently active units awaiting L&H information.  Resources are not available to post or update L&H histories for inactive units.  The sequence of updating and posting of active unit L&H information, including emblem artwork, is dependent on the workload and resources within the Agency.  Note: unit information that is posted is current as of the date entered on the organizational record, although there may have been subsequent unit status changes, redesignations, or additional honors.  This additional lineage information will be included in the next L&H update that the AFHRA prepares for the unit.


Heraldry Reference Materials

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Please Note:

The Agency receives a large volume of inquiries each month and has a substantial backlog of unofficial requests. Requests are worked on a priority, first in, first out basis. It may take several months to receive a response.

For general public, unofficial requests, please wait at least 120 days before inquiring on the status of your initial request.

Please fill out the initial contact form here or contact us by mail at:

AFHRA
600 Chennault Circle
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112

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